- Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool to victory against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Sunday
- Reds boss pictured sleeping with trophy as they flew back to Merseyside
- Xabi Alonso is intelligent and will do what is best for him. You won’t make an emotional decision about his next managerial job – Listen to the everything is beginning podcast
Jurgen Klopp was pictured taking a nap on the flight back to Liverpool after his team defeated Chelsea to lift the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
The 56-year-old’s nerves were tested repeatedly on Sunday as his injury-hit team played out a thrilling back-and-forth encounter at Wembley.
Chelsea appeared to have drawn first blood when Raheem Sterling connected with a pass from Nicolas Jackson to put the ball in the back of the net.
However, a VAR review later confirmed that the Senegal international had been slightly offside in the build-up and the stalemate between the two teams continued.
The Reds also suffered another casualty in their team when Ryan Gravenberch was stretchered off the field after a poor tackle by Moisés Caicedo and replaced by Joe Gómez.
Jurgen Klopp was photographed asleep with the Carabao Cup in hand after his team defeated Chelsea
Virgil van Dijk scored a header late in extra time to secure the victory for the Reds.
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In his first major final since succeeding Jordan Henderson as club captain, Virgil van Dijk produced a talismanic performance for Klopp’s side.
Shortly after the hour mark, the Dutchman headed home to wild celebrations from the Reds fans in attendance.
Once again the ball was in the net and once again the possible goal was disallowed for offside, sparking reactions from fans on social media.
With the game going into extra time, Klopp introduced several academy graduates to watch the end of the game. Once again, it was Van Dijk who made the difference, scoring the decisive goal when the game was on the brink of penalties.
Speaking after the performance, Klopp insisted Sunday’s victory was the “most special trophy” he has won in his illustrious career.
‘YOIn my 20+ years, it was easily the most special trophy I’ve ever won.
After the match, Klopp called the trophy “without a doubt the most special” of his entire career.
‘It is absolutely exceptional. I wish I could feel proud more often. Tonight that is the overwhelming feeling. I was proud of our people for the way they pushed us.
‘I was proud of the staff, I was proud of our academy.
“It had nothing to do with it maybe being my last game at Wembley. It was about how everyone contributed to the kids.
‘Can you create stories in football that no one will ever forget? It is very difficult. “Can you find a similar story with kids coming off the bench against a top team?”
